Interesting Words

I like coming across interesting words. The English language is filled with some that are just fun and others that are just funny sounding.

December 10, 2018
  • cloches (klō-SH-es): a bell- or dome-shaped cover used to keep foods from cooling or on plants to prevent frost. Discovered while playing Pokemon Lets Go: Pikachu in the kitchen of the S.S. Anne.
April 1, 2013
  • coulis (koo-LEE): a form of thick sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits. Discovered while discussing cheesecake to replace a birthday cake.
March 22, 2013
  • jingoism (JING-goh-iz-uh m): extreme patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy. Discovered in Ancient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History on page 324: "It enhanced many of the worst features of Greek society: competitiveness, jingoism, lack of compassion, and gross disregard for human life."
November 8, 2012
  • petrichor (PET-ri-kurh): the pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a long dry spell. Discovered on Pinterest by a friend posting about Doctor Who.
July 30, 2012
  • obdurate (Ob-doo-rit): unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding. Discovered while reading Stephen King's 11/22/63. He often refers to the "obdurate past" during this time-traveling tale.
January 27, 2012
  • ohias (O-hi-a): a common very showy Polynesian tree of the myrtle family having bright red flowers and a hard wood. Discovered during Words with Friends with Daddy (his word).
August 23, 2011
  • scuppernong (SKUHP-er-nawng): a species of grape native to the southeastern United States. It is usually a greenish or bronze color and is similar in appearance and texture to a white grape, but rounder and larger and first known as the 'big white grape'. Discovered on a sign on Hwy 70 West near Garner, NC

August 18, 2011
July 16, 2011
  • pareidolia (parr-i-DOH-lee-a): the imaginary perception of meaning where it does not actually exists; for example, the moon having human features. Discovered on http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.com/: "Automobile Pareidolia" posted on July 13, 2011
July 11, 2011
  • tchotchke (CHOCH-kuh): small trinkets, toys, or knickknacks. Discovered in Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen on page 23: "Particularly when I remember that I'm one of the ancient dusty people, filed away like some worthless tchotchke."